Brocade shakes up sales leaders after earnings slump

New cards, same old faces?

Brocade has printed out a whole bunch of new business cards for its sales and marketing department, just a week after releasing Q2 results that showed sales falling year on year.

Regan McGrath has been named VP of global channels and marketing at the mission critical networking vendor. He was previously veep of sales for the Americas. He takes over from Barbara Spicek, who will be heading back to Germany and taking on an "executive leadership role" overseeing the EMEA unit.

McGrath's America's role will be filled by Tom Ellery, previously VP of sales for enterprise LAN.

Phil O'Reilly has been named VP of sales, Ethernet fabrics, moving over from his role as VP of integrated marketing. The firm did not mention whether it had appointed a new integrated marketing veep.

Lastly, Charlie Foo takes on the role of VP of APAC. He was previously senior director of Brocade's partner business group for Asia Pacific.

The firm said the appointments were aimed at "bolstering channel partner enablement, driving continued Ethernet fabric adoption and developing strongholds in high-growth regions."

Earlier this month, Brocade unveiled Q2 numbers that included revenues of $543m, down 1 per cent year on year, and 3 per cent sequentially. Profits were $39m, compared to $26m the previous year, and $20m down on the year.

The figures showed Brocade's Ethernet business down 10 per cent on the year, which perhaps explains O'Reilly's new role in particular.

At the time, CEO Mike Klayko said: "The Company remains diligent in its efforts to refine and enhance its strategies to appropriately evolve the business while driving growth and consistent profitability." Now we know what he meant by that. ®